A Plethora of Things

 Today, I realize that I have so very many blessings.

While money is not the most important of things, I am SO VERY GRATEFUL for an income.  We have not worked for 18 years, which is a long time to go if we did not have a pension or social security, so that is a HUGE blessing for each of us.

I'm grateful that we are both relatively healthy and mobile.  For that blessing, I give great thanks.

We have a lovely home, three cars, a daughter who lives in our town, good family.  I give thanks for all of these things.

Last night, Jenni told me about her family's good things happening in December.  It was a litany of GOOD NEWS....here's a run down.

Sean, who was recently put in the bishopric, got a raise, a promotion, and will be receiving some back pay from his company when they had to cut salaries because of covid.

Janessa will be getting engaged next week.  We have not met the guy, but Jenni thinks he is fantastic.

Stockton got offered a job with a company from Europe that sells men's beard products.  He got a $30,000. raise and will have insurance benefits.  Morgan passed her dental hygienist exams.

Landon passed his dental exams, and Halsey got a new job.  One that could lead to a career for the future. She has hated her job and applied for over 200 jobs, and was so thrilled to get this job.

And, perhaps BEST of all, BRENT got a job!  It's not a big job; it's not a lot of hours, but it's a JOB!  I'm so very thankful.  I have fasted for this for so many months.

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for these many blessings.

A Year of Insights in the Book of Mormon

 2020 was quite a year.

VERY difficult for many people.

But, for those of faith, we were always encouraged by our prophet and apostles and by our reading of the BOOK of Mormon.  

I love that book and as I learn more, I am ever more grateful!

WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE!

 Holy cow!  I haven't written for quite a long time.

That doesn't mean I haven't been thankful.  I have been thankful for so many things.

But today, I want to give thanks for some posts that people have posted over the last few weeks in reference to President Nelson's talk and advice to #givethanks on social media...

Here are some pictures and posts.  I am embarrassed, but grateful for these people who would even thing of  me.

That sweetie, Jessica Stout posted this one day.  Here, I'm trying to show Avery some of her family  history.  Oh, how I love those Stout girls and their parents!

Nathaniel Gee posted this on FB giving thanks for me.  Totally surprised me.

Our bishop's wife, who is absolutely THE greatest, posted this after
Allen and I taught briefly in Sunday School.

Janessa posted this about heroes.

IT looks and sounds braggy, I know, but it is a good reminder that I need to focus and compliment other people as well.

I'm so grateful for the wonderful people in my life.

A Living Prophet

 Yesterday President Nelson gave a message of hope which has been witnessed around the globe by millions.  Some not of our faith.

It was an empowering message intended to give hope in this time of crises.

In the message, he encouraged people to flood social media with the hashtag #give thanks.  The response has been incredible, and I love that!

I've loved seeing who is doing this;  Jenni's three daughters-in-law jumped right on it and have posted already for the first day.

I also posted my first one; thankful for Allen.

His second piece of advice was to PRAY: for our country, for the political strife to end, for the caregivers who are stretched so thin at this time.

It was so beautiful and inspiring.

This line just struck me....so TRUE!

“Counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a unique, fast-acting, and long-lasting spiritual prescription.” —President Russell M. Nelson

I'm thankful.

Backyard Beauty

 

Sometimes the beauties of the earth literally take my breath away.  These lasted for several days and were so huge and lovely.  A person cannot paint anything this grand!

Thank you, Heavenly Father!

Music to Stir the Soul

 This morning, i have been listening to:

The Messiah, by Handel, and

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony!

What magnificent, stirring music.  I almost forgot my headache and my stomachache.  

I can't even imagine the talent and the patience of these two composers to write this kind of music.  

And, Beethoven was already going deaf when he began his symphony.  

I'm so thankful and I can hear and appreciate good music!

Garage and Heated Car Seats

 I have so many things to be thankful for.

And, I am.

I love having a garage.  And, I love having heated car seats in the winter.  Both are luxuries, and I am grateful.

I don't want them to seem frivolous, but it's just great to have so many wonderful conveniences.

Church in the Time of Covid

 Today, Allen and I went to Sacrament meeting.

BUT, we went via satellite.  Half of the ward was actually in the meeting house, and they will partake of the Sacrament.  Our half of the ward was watching via television.

It was Fast and testimony meeting.  My goodness; some of the most powerful testimonies were shared....it didn't matter that we were not in the building with them.  What mattered was the feeling of the Spirt.

One of my favorite testimonies was from Rachel Webb.  She bore testimony that young children can have a spirit of testimony and be a strength even at a very early age.  She quoted from Mormon, where he is 10 years old and is put in charge of the records.  A 15, he was a general.  Her testimony was so powerful and I felt such a strong agree ment with her.

Brother Zufelt gave an emotional testimony about the power of needing angels in our lives, Emily Matthews bore testimony of the power of having Christ with us at all times, even in these challenging times. Brother Slade talked about knowing that he is loved by God.  Oh, it was wonderful.

And, I'm so very thankful.

From Our Own Garden!

 IT doesn't look like the store bought brand.

But, it's even tastier and much healthier:

It's pomegranate juice from our very own bushes.

Getting something from a pomegranate is a dang lot of work and Allen has done it a couple of times now.

The results are delicious and so very healthy.

And, I am so very grateful.

The Podcast

 It popped up on a social media newsfeed.

A podcast from a friend we know.  So, I listened.

It was very inspiring.  It talked about the five keys to happiness.

Number one was being grateful for the small things that happen each day.  Even when life is a struggle or a challenge, there are things to be grateful for.

Today, I'm especially grateful for my two dear daughters.  They bless my life in so many ways.  I love to talk with them, text with them, banter with them.  They are such a great blessing in my life.  And, I'm so grateful.

Then, there is Loretta Allam.  She is such a dear, dear friend.  I'm so thankful that we are in the same neighborhood....it is no coincidence.  And, I'm so very grateful for that tiny miracle...well, maybe it's not tiny after all!  I've lived here in this neighborhood for a long time, but never really made a TRUE connection, even though there are many wonderful women around me.  But, Loretta and and I just hit it off, and I'm so grateful for her friendship.  

I have many blessings, including my husband.  He is good, and I'm grateful.

I'm grateful.

General Conference

 WOW!  Such a feast of talks, insight, and goodness.

I was particularly moved by....oh, I can't name just a few. there were so many that ouched my spirit.

ANd, I'm thankful.

Thankful for an amazing living prophet, who at 96 is sprier than I am.  He's such a remarkable man, and I'm so grateful that we can have him for as long as we can.

Many of the talks focused on Covid-19 and its impact on our lives,  But, again, most focused on our Saviour.  

I'm so very grateful.

A Sense of Smell

 I've always been thankful for a sense of smell, 

But especially NOW....in the time of Covid-19.

That is one of the signs that you possibly have it...when you can no longer smell.

Today, I went for a bike ride and I could smell the barnyard smells and I was so glad to smell them.

Allen chopped down a big spruce tree, and I helped him sweep up the pine needles and saw dust and I could smell that earthy smell.  I LOVED smelling it.

And, I am grateful.

The WOW! of Nature!

 

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for this incredible beautiful world.  

Pictures just do not do it justice.  It is spectacular and makes my heart sing!

Such a Great Neighbor!

 I was just walking into church one Sunday.

Peggy Hrabar greeted me and said, "Loni, I have something for you."  She proceeded to pull out of her purse a really COOL home-made mask.  It pinches the nose, so that my glasses don't fog up.

(I look like a very serious bank robber, but don't look at the expression.   Just look at the darling fall mask!)

What a thoughtful thing to do.

And, I felt so very grateful for the many good people in the world!

Water and Electricity

 A week ago, in Northern Utah, they had terrible wind storms.

I mean very harsh...trees down, power lines down, It was very bad in some areas.

So bad, in fact, that for many people, they were without electricity for an entire week!

That is very hard for me to comprehend...they lost all the food in their refrigerators.

Schools had to be canceled.

I've been thinking about those poor people and I realize how needy I am when it comes to electricity.

And, the same is true with healthy, clean water.

I need them on a daily basis.

So, I am thankful for something that I often take for granted, but am in great need of.

What a blessing to always have water and electricity.

Our Health ....

 ...at this time in our lives.  

It's such a blessing to be able to move, eat, talk, think, see, hear.

Health is so precarious.

And I am grateful for Allen's health and my health at this time inner lives.

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father!  What a blessing and I never want to take it for granted.

Being Able to Clean the Windows

 I don't like dirty windows.

But, I don't necessarily like to clean them either.  

I always put it off, until something absolutely FORCES me to clean them.  Like having company, which we will have tomorrow.  

So, after procrastinating for a long time, I got out to wash them this morning.  And, while doing so, I was struck with being GRATEFUL that I could still do this task.

I could reach up, I could stand, I could move my arms, I was mobile, I could see.  And, I realized that it was a great blessing to be able to wash the windows.

I'm grateful for that in this time of my life.

Our Early Morning Walks

 Many mornings, Allen and Get up and go on a walk.  

He sets a brisk pace and we only go for 30 minutes, but it's such a great healthy way to start the day!

He hasn't always wanted to do this, so I'm glad he decided that he would walk with me.  Right now, because of Covid-19, I'm not going to the gym, so this walking is a great alternative.

And, I'm grateful that Allen will do it with me!

AIR CONDITIONING

 Over 70 days of three digit temperatures.

In other words, it is mighty HOT here in St George.

It is very wearing.  Walking to the mailbox or to visit a neighbor is a huff and puff experience, with sweat dripping down the back, face, chin, forehead.  

It's brutal.

So, HOW did the pioneers and early settlers survive this heat?  And, they continued to build a temple, a tabernacle, an opera house, and their own private homes.

I do NOT understand how they did it, but I am so grateful.

And, I'm so grateful for the man who invented air conditioning.  He's my hero right at this moment.

Oh, I give thanks for that man who had such a great idea.  

Jobs in the Family!

 Covid has gutted our lives.

Especially one of our son's business.

But, his dear wife, Amy, just got a job teaching school.  There are no words to say how grateful and thankful I am about this.

Also, Justin got another gig with BYU.  Oh, THANK YOU dear Heavenly Father.  I cannot say what this meant to us.

And, as a final gesture, Eli got a job at a soda place mixing drinks...SODALICIOUS.  

My heart is FILLED with gratitude.

Two Grandsons From the Same Family

 

Tow totally different young men. 

Good young men.  Smart young men.

Each will choose his own path, but each will be good to their grandparents.  

For that, I am eternally grateful!

Libraries

Big brick building

Little room in a school house

Traveling Bookmobile

Upstairs in a dusty old courthouse

Tucked away in a strip mall

Book Nook in front of a park or home

Online....

I'll take them anywhere.

And, I am so grateful.

I've traveled the world, I've gone back in time, not so often in the future, but I've laughed and cried, and felt joy at the power of words transporting me away.

I could never have personally afforded all the amazing books I read.

So, over and over again, I am thankful for libraries.

The Book of Mormon

It is always inspiring.

It is always a gift and teaches  me new things.

I'm so very grateful.

The Beauties of the Earth

...especially in our own yard!

Thank you, Allen, for the hard work in keeping our yard so lovely.

And for bringing me these lovely flowers.

An Abundance of the GOOD THINGS of LIFE!

Our home,

Our yard,

vehicles,

Eyesight,

Mobility,

Income,

Running water,

Indoor toilet,

Food,

Family,

Gospel.

I just finished reading a book by Malala Yousefzhi entitled WE ARE DISPLACED.  It's the story of several young girls who have been driven out of their homelands.  The stories are raw, horrifying, frightening, and make me so appreciate the life I have.

Oh, I am so THANKFUL today for the beauty of my life.

My Dear Mother...

Best of all women.....

 
I was so very blessed.

And, I am grateful.

Having Two Daughters, Who.......

......Who Love Each Other....

Bridger on a mission

This touched my heart and I was so grateful!

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Recently I had a prompting over an issue that I have struggled with for a number of years.

It was quite soothing and powerful, as I knew that was the path I should take.

I've never been really good at discerning the Holy Ghost, but sometimes I have felt it was a direct answer to spoken and unspoken prayers.

And, I was so grateful.

I was reading a book or listening to a friends when was something like this was written or said: "That was in the past; let it go.  Move forward.  Nothing to be done now."

That sunk into my heart and I KNEW that was speaking to me directly.

I felt relieved and thankful.

What a great blessing.  If only I used it more often!

From Sayre....

Sayre is thankful for the SUN!

He is thankful for family.

Dogs, church, food, fun trip, water.

Polyester fiber.  Because it is in everything.

Plastic.

Biodegradable straws.....VERY IMPORTANT.

The letter M.

Combustible fiber.

The chemical composition of wood.

Lithium.

Copper also.

Bean bags.

Hair pins.  I do not use them, but I'm thankful for them.

Thankful for hole punchers and pre-hole punched paper.

Three ring binders.

And, that is it for today from Sayre Hackworth.

Many Things

Today we were struck a blow.

My heart is so very heavy.

So, I need to focus on what I have and what I am thankful for.....

Religion is so hard.  It divides us from the ones we love the most and causes sorrow.

Sometimes, it is hard to stand strong.

But, I am thankful for many things and I must focus on those.

Our Lovely Yard

...so taken care of by Robert Allen Hackworth!

Three Cheers for the gardener!

So beautiful.  Makes my heart happy.

I am so grateful for the world Heavenly Father created.

And, for Allen who continues to beautify our lovely piece of
 property.

Mother Nature Still Keeps Giving...

even amidst the chaos!

I did not take this picture, but saw it on social media.  And loved it.

We went to visit the Huntington's.  I loved seeing this friendship between the horse and the goat.

Friendship; very tender and poignant.

Allen brought these in from our yard.  Can you even imagine how perfect and beautiful!

These last three pictures are from Dorothy Huntington's yard.

The argentine Cactus will only bloom for a couple of days, so we were lucky to get a glimpse of it when we did.

The beauty of God's world is astonishing!

And, I am so grateful.

Sounds I Hardly Ever Hear Lately

Right now, outside my front window are the sounds of teenagers laughing, hanging out, having fun.

It has, literally, been weeks since I've heard these sounds.

(Except for the kids in the house behind our back yard, where the Ivey's live and play.)

But the sound of spontaneous laughter and playing is just not heard these days because we are all in lockdown mode.

So, hearing those kids outside having fun is such a precious sound.

And, I am grateful.

Easter - No Matter What Is Happening In the World!

It was an unusual Easter - this Easter of 2020.

Many churches had on-line services.  Streets were empty.  Churches were vacant.  Pop Francis gave his Easter address to an empty plaza.  Andrea Bocelli sang in the Duomo in Italy, but there were no parishioners.

Our church was held in each individual home where we partook of the Sacrament - in our case, with Allen blessing it.

The world is in a strange place and it feels so empty and lonely. and in some ways, terrifying because of thousands of deaths, lost jobs, lost income, loss of normalcy.

But, of course, we will get thru this.  God is on our side.

And, I am grateful.

Friends and Family on My 76th Birthday

Started early;

Phone call the night before from Travis; we talked for over 45 minutes; he's so easy to talk to.  We each try to beat the other by being the first one to call the other, so this year, he won by calling the night before!

Texts From:

Sayre Hackworth
Carisa Hackworth
Suzette Coombs
Kristi Hackworth
John Ferguson
Cristina Slagle
Dorothy Huntington
Linda Asay
Donna and Bill Simmons
Natasha Gee
Beverly Murdock
Linda Ricks

Phone Calls or Cards or Gifts:

Elaine Barnes - lovely potted roses
Loretta Allam - 2 hand-made dish cloths and a hand vacuum
Janessa - 76th birthday hat
Kristi and Jenni - hot air balloon ride
Gavin and Libby Gee
Preston and Janice Gee - box of Harry &; David
Eunice Merrill
Gardner Gee and family singing happy birthday
Nathaniel and Jeanine Gee

And, best of all:
A family phone call featuring:

Kristi turned on the lights so it had a party atmosphere!  Notice the hats;
Bobby's is a winter one, Kristi's hat is from St George; a Dixie Power Hat....funny.

Landon grabbed a cornucopia from a table and put it on his head.  Oh, I do love this family of ours!

Brent, Jenni, Janessa
Sean, Lisa
Stockton Morgan
Landon, Halsey
Justin & Amy with Eli, Miles, who played the ukulele and sang Happy Birthday, Calder
Jeremy & Carisa
Kristi & Bobby
Jordan
Lucy and Anna, sort of.

The theme was HATS and they all wore some kind of hat.  It was so awesome.

Just before the phone cal, Janessa came over and dropped off this hat.
I wasn't sure why, but it was a thoughtful thing to do.
Then I learned why.  IT's A HAT PARTY!

Best gift EVER, and I AM SO VERY THANKFUL!

A Memorable Conference Weekend

Including one in Shanghai (CHINA!)  Un believable, truly.
Also, on in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.  It's just a miracle!

Very significant conference.

And, of course, added in were all the marvelous, inspiring talks.

And, I am grateful.

The Present Day Prophet

On Sunday, March 28, we will be fasting as the Prophet has asked us to.

Right now, the world, and particularly America, is in totally chaos.

It is a very terrifying time right now.

But, we have a prophet and we will do as he asks us to do.

And, I am grateful

God's Beautiful Earth

Stay away from people.

Don't go anywhere; stores, shops, restaurants, etc.

But, there's still THE GREAT OUTDOORS!

WE went for a ride yesterday back in the hills of Southern Utah.

Even though this picture cannot capture the magnitude of the beauty, it really was breathtaking.

And, i am so THANKFUL we can still get out and enjoy NATURE!!

Mi Familia

Social Distancing....the new way to get together.

Mandated by the President, centers for Disease Control and the fact that we all live far apart anyway.

We laughed, we joked, we talked, we shared.

And, through it all, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and such LOVE.

I'm so thankful for family!

The Priesthood in my HOME

Today, all across the globe, families had their own sacrament.

I felt blessed because Allen was able to do that for us.

It is such a crazy time right now; everyone is being asked to stay HOME from everything.

We are being very compliant with this.

So, being able to take the Sacrament was a blessing for me.

The Priesthood has blessed my life in so many ways, but the One I want to talk mainly about is being raised by my father.

He didn't teach us the GOSPEL as I was growing up, but HE LIVED IT!  It was his life; I saw what a good man he was - a man of honor and integrity.  A Man devoted to God.  He raised three sons just like he was.  My brothers love God; they have stayed strong and are such good people.

I feel so grateful to have been blessed to be in a home with prayer, sacred music, love, church attendance, goodness, honesty, hard work, unselfishness.

I am so THANKFUL FOR THE PRIESTHOOD.

The First Vision

The First Vision teaches me several things:

1.  God and Jesus are separate beings; both individuals, separate and distinct.

2.  God still speaks to man.

3.  God was proud of his SON, and introduced as, "In whom I am well pleased."  I love that positive recognition; it's a good lesson to any parent to be proud of our children.

4.  God cares about His children because he wanted them to have the Gospel on the earth.

I'm so grateful for this event in history.